Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 1 Cor. 6:17
Last week I shared with you that I had a dream that shook me a bit, and I want to continue sharing insight with you about what I sense the Lord is speaking to his leaders through the lens of what he showed me and through scripture. I believe in this dream the Lord was showing me several things dealing with issues in our family lines that must be uprooted, and requirements for us as leaders in families, both spiritual and natural families.
Way too often we read and then interpret scripture instead of allowing the scripture to read and interpret us. I pray that as you read these scriptures, that the Word of God will come and divide between your soul and spirit, discerning and judging the intents of your heart, so you can make the necessary adjustments the Lord is requiring of you.
You must prove your repentance by a changed life. And don’t presume you can get away with merely saying to yourselves, ‘But we’re Abraham’s descendants!’ For I tell you, God can awaken these stones to become sons of Abraham! The axe is now ready to cut down the trees at their very roots. Every fruitless, rotten tree will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matt. 3:8-10
Earlier in this passage of scripture John the Baptist is preaching about repentance and the Kingdom. The way we are recognized as being born again with a new nature is a changed life, yet sometimes the fruit from the tree doesn't reveal that change. Any leader, not producing the fruit of repentance will lose their position in the field of influence.Not every leader should be followed because not every leader is following Jesus. Some trees are rooted in dead religion, and as the Lord is establishing his kingdom in the earth, those not living repentant lives, or are stuck in dead works and religion will be cut loose, from their positions of influence.
"And have you forgotten his encouraging words spoken to you as his children? He said,“My child, don’t underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct you. For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child.” Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons." Hebrews 12:5-8
Why do we hate correction? As true kingdom heirs we should welcome and value the validation that correction brings to our lives and sonship.
Execute, therefore, my statutes and keep my rights and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety; and the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill and dwell therein in safety. Lev. 25:18
to execute: to carry out or put into effect a plan or order or a course of action; to carry out fully; put completely into effect, execute a command
What stands out to me in this definition to execute are the words-fully and completely. As officers of the kingdom, and leaders of his children, we must fully execute our office responsibilities, by fully following his commands. Partial obedience doesn't work with God.
If we don't fully obey his Word- it's disobedience.
LEADERSHIP: the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country; A person or thing that holds a dominant or superior position within its field, and is able to exercise a high degree of control or influence over others.
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2
The Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood was responsible for carrying out the following duties of educating, blessing, performing sacrifices and exercising judgement of Torah. ... The priests were to officiate at the Temple sacrifices and offer the prescribed sacrifices according to the law. Wikibooks
Every leadership position or office holds responsibilities that must be executed according to a pattern. For example: Before entering the office of president, the President of the US affirms this oath:
I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Faithfully executing- requires a carrying out of commands, duties and responsibilities according to a legal document-fully complying. I am concerned that we have forgotten that the bible is our Constitution, our country of origin is heaven, and we are only sojourners here on earth.
"The bible is not a religious document, it is a legal document, "the Law of God." Dr. Myles Monroe.
Do you view the Word of God as a legal document of commands or suggestions?
Do you view our laws in this country as commands or suggestions?
Do you view yourself as a kingdom heir with Jesus as your King?
Are you faithfully executing the duties as an officer or leader in the kingdom of God?
Do you live, move and have your being from this position as a lifestyle.
Do you embody your identity-fully- as a king in a kingdom serving under the commands of King Jesus?
Or do you live only as a citizen of earth, following the patterns and customs of this world, all the while claiming kingdom authority and rule?
These are all questions we must ask ourselves as leaders in family units, whether as a parent or 5 fold minister- because I don't believe for a moment, that it is pleasing or acceptable to God to represent the King of kings on this earth, following the patterns and customs of this world. We have responsibilities that require us representing and showing forth a different culture and lifestyle.
Are you as a leader showing others what true repentance and holiness looks like as a kingdom heir?
Are you seeking God with your WHOLE heart and loving him with all your heart, soul and mind?
Is your lifestyle one of fellowship with the Lord in prayer, the Word and worship? Notice I said lifestyle.
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness more than anything else?
Are you fulfilling your mandate as a type of David?
I will not enter my house, nor lie in my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Israel. Ps. 132
There is an appearance of godliness in the family structures of today, but is there any power?
There are rituals in our churches and gatherings but where is the love, honor and respect for the presence of God?
We must rise up to the level to which we've been called to- in righteousness, holiness and consecration, in order to be carriers of the divine nature and glory of God. We do have a part to play in partnering in our inheritance as kingdom heirs.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Jesus chose you and purchased you with his blood and now it's required that you live a life worthy by "displaying the virtues and perfections of Him Who called us out of darkness." The apostle Paul says it like this...
Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). 1 Corinthians 11:1
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." Rev. 3:18
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially,live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 1 Peter :14-17
"Jesus replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant is destined to be uprooted. Stay away from them,for they’re nothing more than blind guides. Do you know what happens when a blind man pretends to guide another blind man? They both stumble into a ditch!” Matt. 15:13-14
A kingdom consists of leaders known as kings & lords etc....so in a kingdom you are fully aware that the king owns everything and you own nothing, you only rent from Him as he is LANDLORD over it all..and anything you have is because he has allowed it, bestowing it on you...or are given authority that at any given time can be revoked if you are not properly exercising that authority. So when King Jesus decides to change landlords in a region, state, nation, church or any place of influence, he needs no ones permission to do so.
Here in our Constitution (the bible) we see this statement of ownership:
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 1:3
So when God says-
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. Daniel 2:21
..like he does in Daniel 2:21, then you realize he has full ownership to do this. I know that none of want to be deposed as leaders nor do we want to be blind guides to anyone he has given us oversight of, so we must keep ourselves humble, pure, repentant and ready to execute his commands or suffer losing our position to rule and reign as kings in God's kingdom.
Here is a recent prophetic word from, Bishop Dr. Jackie L. Green, a spiritual mother of mine in the faith, that I believe goes along with the word I released last week on the generations and this week on spiritual leaders (mothers and fathers).
The Lord says, you had better bark (as watchdogs) and you had better pray like your future depends on it. You had better gather all the past generations tactics together and study them, but know the war has increased and know that some weapons used by them will not work today unless it was girded in HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.Traditions of men and religious warfare of the past generations was not always pure and they felt they could go to war, be a whore monger and warrior for Me at the same time. But I say the days of “looking away from sin” among my people and not realizing that I also love but I also judge my people is now upon you. For in this 21st Century, judgment shall surely begin at the House of God. If my warriors are partial in obedience and love convenience more than holiness, I will spit you out of My Mouth says the Lord. If my warriors of today feel that their access to My throne can be compromised with your excesses of worldly things, you are deceived. For know that God is not mocked, for what you sow, you shall reap. Now I say arise and train the little ones, for they must be able to combat generational errors and generational sins in their prayers. They must be raised us with the spirit of Caleb and Joshua upon them. There must be training's and conferences for the teens and the children. Think it not strange, that those that went in to the new things of God out of the wilderness were twenty years old and younger. Do not be deceived like your ancestors who thought I would only speak to adults. I say that I am now speaking to your children and they will outrank you if you do not obey Me. Some watchdogs - Kingdom Shifter's- will be fired and replaced in this crucial hour. I am replacing and deploying new troops even in the midst of you today. GET YOUR ORDERS FROM THE LORD, NOT MAN. So arise, and be a kingdom heir. Arise and be a true watchman that will not compromise My Word. For in this very hour, I need those who will preach, pray and prophesy My Word without watering it down. I call forth the John the Baptists of your day, for surely he was a forerunner but the Spirit of John the Baptist must be on My watchdogs - Kingdom Shifter's even now, says the Spirit of the Lord.
This prophetic word was given to those she is in oversight of, but I firmly believe it applies to the whole Body of Christ, as God prepares His people to carry His glory, unrestrained once again, in greater measure. Compromise will not be tolerated from a Holy God, because His standards have not changed. His standard is himself. He is holy and righteous, so we are to be found in him, holy, righteous and set apart to him. He does not change these conditions for a single generation. Otherwise he would have to apologize to all the former generations. If you are a kingdom heir or representative, then you must start following him fully with your whole heart, complying, where ever and however he is showing you, refusing compromise at every corner and on every level.
LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF THE CALL
I hear the Lord saying-"no more breaches and no more shortcuts. Do the work that is necessary to truly reveal my nature, and live lives worthy of the sacrifice that was made for you. And yes, do all that is in your heart, once that heart is fully surrendered to my plan and my ways. But above all else, have fervent love one for another, even as I have loved you, love one another."
I wept as the Lord shared this with me. He desires us to walk in unity and love with him and one another, but this requires something of us and that is surrender.
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:20
The whole idea and concept of holiness is "separation." It comes from a word meaning "to cut off." What do you need separation from or what needs to be cut off from your character or life that doesn't produce Holy Spirit fruit or the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? God is restoring all the ways the family unit has been broken and He is restoring all things to Himself bringing things to a place of wholeness and completion in our lives so the circle will no longer be broken.
In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be.. Amos 9:11
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked,because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
It's the presence of God that has always marked the people of God. Israel learned that as long as they walked with God, honoring His presence, by living according to His laws, statutes and commands in true repentance, righteousness and holiness, that no enemy could withstand them. All the laws, commands and statutes were fulfilled in Jesus but the standards are still found in His Word. We must never take our roles as priests and kings (leaders) lightly, or his presence, if we are to keep our place of influence in this world.
ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:
Read Matthew 15 and meditating on verses 13-14
Read all of Matthew 10 meditating on verse 8-10
Ask the Lord all the places you currently live in compromise-according to the standards, ways and customs of this world, and repent, making the necessary adjustments in your lifestyle.
As this is springtime, pay close attention to all the ways God is speaking through simple things like gardening and in nature. He is revealing all the things that must be weeded out and cleaned up in you heart and life. As you cooperate with this cleansing, refining and pruning process, he will begin planting in the soil of your heart, what matters most to him and brings him the most pleasure.
Spend time reading Luke 12
Spend time in true worship and repentance this week.
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